The Dreamfuel Show

Kevin Bailey

The Dreamfuel Show is a research expedition to uncover and unpack the mindsets of impactful tech founders and executives. On this show, we’re going to get real and talk about what was actually going on in their hearts and minds during the harrowing journeys that forged them and their companies! We’ll also speak with performance experts who will share the latest tips, tools, and tricks that can help us realize our own dreams, too. As we like to say at Dreamfuel, every quarter is a hero’s journey. So be sure to hit follow to join us along the way.

  1. 02/03/2025

    Beyond Scarcity: Shifting to an Abundance Mindset with Emma Stratton

    What if your biggest financial roadblocks had nothing to do with opportunities or external factors? The answer might surprise you: deeply ingrained beliefs from childhood, mindset shifts, and self-awareness. In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, Kevin Bailey sits down with Emma Stratton, founder of Punchy, to talk about how early childhood beliefs around money shape financial decisions in adulthood. Emma shares her personal experience growing up with a scarcity mindset, how it unknowingly dictated her career and business choices, and the transformational mindset work that helped her break free. From subconscious programming to practical strategies for shifting into abundance, Emma offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to grow their wealth and impact. Key Takeaways: The Scarcity Trap – How childhood programming creates financial ceilings.Mindset and Business Growth – Why shifting beliefs can directly impact revenue.Rewiring Your Money Story – Actionable steps to build an abundance mindset. Resources Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders Timestamps:00:00 Intro 02:05 How childhood shapes money beliefs 04:36 The impact of scarcity mindset on business 08:50 Shifting to an abundance mentality 14:10 How mindset work doubled Punchy’s revenue 22:51 Practical exercises to change financial habits 30:32 The link between self-worth and financial success

    38 min
  2. 11/01/2024

    From Military to Venture: David Mann on Leading by Example

    What fuels a leader's journey? It's a question many founders and CEOs ponder daily. The answer might surprise you: it's all about mindset, integrity, and putting people first. In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, host Kevin Bailey sits with David Mann, a military veteran, entrepreneur, and investor. David shares his insights on values-driven leadership, emphasizing the importance of genuinely caring about people professionally and personally to create a desirable company culture that leads to great results. He also discusses the challenges and lessons learned from his journey, including overcoming his ego, the impact of his faith, and transitioning leadership experiences from the Navy to the business world. Key Takeaways: Suffering and Growth – David shares how adversity fueled his personal development, highlighting faith as a guiding force. Humble Leadership – David outlines transitioning from arrogance to humility, stressing that the best leaders empower their teams. Abundance Mindset – Focusing on what you can give rather than what you can get can unlock endless opportunities and build stronger, more sincere connections. Resources Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:55) From Navy to private equity (04:35) Navigating high-stakes challenges with integrity (08:25) Why core values matter more than numbers in private equity (11:44) Building people-first cultures (19:46) Faith and abundance mindset (25:44) Why daily routines matter (28:38) Importance of humility in leadership

    35 min
  3. 10/03/2024

    Insights on Running a Lean Startup and Thriving in Life with Daniel Hershberg

    What drives success? It’s an answer we’re all searching for. And the answer is simpler than you think: Embrace your journey, make tough decisions, and find balance in professional and personal life. In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, host Kevin Bailey sits down with Daniel Hershberg, founder and CEO of the Amateur Golf Society of America. Daniel opens up about the challenges and rewards of his 16-year entrepreneurial journey.  Kevin and Daniel also discuss the importance of making hard decisions, maintaining work-life balance, and the benefits of choosing the right partners in business.  Key Takeaways: Family & Business Dynamics – Daniel talks about drawing a boundary between family life and business, and why it’s best to build a business with people you’re not close to.Lean Startup Strategy – Making lean, tough choices for the sustainable growth of your startup.Founder Wellness – Daniel emphasizes health and balance through yoga, family time, and managing stress to avoid burnout. Resources Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders Timestamps:(00:00) Managing joy and entrepreneurship (00:41) Golf on your terms with Amateur Golf Society (01:54) Challenges of founding a business with family (06:18) Importance of lean startup and funding strategies (11:37) Balancing work and personal life as a founder (114:39) Empowering leaders to connect at the Amateur Golf Society

    18 min
  4. 09/19/2024

    Building a Startup with Friends: How to Dodge Typical Pitfalls with Clayton Thompson

    Ready to uncover the secrets of founding a successful startup? Spoiler alert: It’s all about choosing the right partners. In this episode of The Dreamfuel Show, host Kevin Bailey sits down with Clayton Thompson, seasoned founder, and CEO of multiple thriving SaaS startups. Clayton shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of clear boundaries and wise partner choices. From the pain of parting ways with a friend-turned-cofounder to the joy of raising millions in funding, Clayton’s stories are raw, real, and incredibly insightful. Key Takeaways: Choose Your Partners Wisely – Clayton's journey taught him a hard lesson about mixing friendship with business. Build Your Support Network – Clayton emphasizes the importance of networking and seeking mentorship, which can accelerate your growth and keep you from feeling isolated.Master the Art of Adaptability – Clayton talks about evolving from a lifestyle business to a high-growth company, proving that flexibility and learning from mistakes are key to long-term success.Resources Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech LeadersTimestamps:(00:00) How to set clear boundaries in business partnerships (02:11) Major challenges of starting a business with friends (06:08) Practical advice for early-stage founders (08:09) Why networking and mentorship are crucial for startups

    17 min
  5. 09/05/2024

    Finding Your Co-Founder with Adam Weber and Santiago Jaramillo

    What fuels a founder's journey from an ambitious dreamer to a successful entrepreneur?  The path is often paved with relentless pressure, heartfelt connections, and moments of profound self-discovery. In this episode, Kevin Bailey sits down with Santiago Jaramillo and Adam Weber, Co-founders of Emplify. Together, they've navigated the turbulent seas of start-up life, gone through the highs of meteoric growth, and faced the stark realities of selling their company for $50 million. Santiago and Adam reflect on their ten-year journey, from their unexpected meeting to the hard choices of transitioning out. They open up about their battles with self-doubt, the burn of near-burnout, and the intimate brotherhood they've created through shared trials. Key Takeaways: Synchronicity in Partnership - Santiago and Adam discuss the importance of finding the right partner in business.Burnout and Mental Health - Santiago talks about nearing burnout and the crucial decision to explore an acquisition to safeguard his mental and physical health.Clarity Through Change - Adam shares a significant moment when a leadership retreat helped him realize his true passions, leading to a career shift from sales to leadership development.Resources Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Santiago and Adam 02:28 The power of synchronicity 07:02 The emotional rollercoaster of success 11:45 Burnout and the decision to exit 13:27 Need for self-care to overcome triggered state 20:32 Soul-searching retreat that led to career clarity

    26 min
  6. 08/22/2024

    From Ego-Driven to Authentic Leadership with Matt Tait

    What drives success? It’s a question every founder ponders. And the answer might be simpler than you think: Self-awareness and authenticity. In this episode, Kevin Bailey sits down with Matt Tait, CEO and founder of Decimal. Together, they discuss Matt’s journey—his triumphs, rough failures, and the invaluable lessons learned from launching three companies.  Matt’s story is full of insights that remind us that while business can break us, it also builds us into the best version of ourselves. Tune in for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is heartfelt. Key Takeaways: Retracing Steps — Matt emphasizes the importance of founders taking a deep dive into self-reflection before starting a company. He shares how understanding who you are today and who you aspire to be can significantly impact the growth and success of your business.Embracing Failure — Decoupling your identity from your business provides a solid foundation for controlling your reactions and, ultimately, emerging resilience and even more drive. Matt shares his experience with failure at Füdē, highlighting its brutal impact but also the invaluable lessons it brings.Values Over Ego — Matt explores how prioritizing moral decisions over ego boosts long-term trust and loyalty within a team and why doing the right thing—even when it’s difficult—matters deeply in creating a lasting legacy.Resources Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:50 Meet Matt Tait, Founder and CEO 01:44 Lessons from founding Füdē and Decimal 04:17 The pitfalls of following your ego 06:31 The importance of self-honesty 08:23 Decoupling identity from business 10:46 The competitive advantage of self-understanding 13:05 A story from the trenches 17:52 Personal growth through entrepreneurship 19:01 Leading through the pandemic

    23 min
  7. 08/08/2024

    Turning Roadblocks into Milestones with Jon Speer

    What happens when your passion collides with a bigger challenge? Join host Kevin Bailey and Max Yoder as they dive deep into conversation with Jon Speer, a remarkable founder who knows the highs and lows of entrepreneurship like the back of his hands.  Jon shares his story of how an investor's decision shifted his company's direction, initially causing frustration but ultimately leading to collaboration and success. Jon navigated the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, the strain on personal relationships, and the importance of meaningful connections. He shares how visualization, trust, and a grounded approach to life goals helped him through some of his toughest moments. Key Takeaways: Trust Through Transparency - Jon opens up about his journey toward building trust, especially with his co-founder, David.Vision-Driven Pivot – Jon faced a pivotal moment when an investor suggested a broader product concept. Instead of sticking rigidly to his initial idea, Jon embraced this new direction, which led to greater success.Personal Sacrifices for Professional Gains - Balancing work and life is tough. Jon discusses his long hours and personal sacrifices while building his company.Resources: Click here to apply to Dreamfuel's Octane Mental Performance Program for Tech Leaders Timestamps:00:00 Jon’s journey before he started Greenlight Guru06:11 From boring jobs to independent consulting10:30 Exchanging work for equity19:35 Self-investment to majority equity and trust27:02 Mental performance program for tech leaders37:01 Visualization and a family living together40:01 Securing JMI Equity offer48:48 Navigating disorientation and finding clarity in a new direction54:30 Cherishing meaningful relationships with love and presence

    56 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Dreamfuel Show is a research expedition to uncover and unpack the mindsets of impactful tech founders and executives. On this show, we’re going to get real and talk about what was actually going on in their hearts and minds during the harrowing journeys that forged them and their companies! We’ll also speak with performance experts who will share the latest tips, tools, and tricks that can help us realize our own dreams, too. As we like to say at Dreamfuel, every quarter is a hero’s journey. So be sure to hit follow to join us along the way.